A MINIMUM price for alcohol is set to be considered by Cheshire East Council.

At the authority’s cabinet meeting on Monday, April 11, councillors will be asked to endorse a minimum price per unit of 50p, as well as giving their support to the pursuit of a by-law, or national legislation, to help achieve this.

Recent information from Local Alcohol Profiles for England, shows that out of 326 local authorities nationally, Cheshire East is in the top 15 areas for ‘increased-risk drinking’.

It also scores poorly for alcohol-specific hospital admissions for females and alcohol-specific hospital admissions for under 18s.

The chronic effects of heavy drinking include cirrhosis, coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke, and the cost to Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust of dealing with alcohol misuse is £31.5m a year, which is increasing by at least £500,000 every year.

This figure does not take account of the cost to the police and the fire service of dealing with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

It is thought that the effect minimum pricing would have on moderate drinkers is negligible.

In a supermarket you could still buy six 500ml cans of lager for £6 and a bottle of wine for £4.50.

Evidence shows that the measure is much more likely to affect heavy drinkers as they tend to choose cheaper drinks, and is expected that consumption among younger people would also be reduced by cutting access to ‘pocket money’-priced drinks.

A letter from some of the leading doctors and surgeons in the country, supporting minimum alcohol pricing, will also be presented to the Cabinet on April 11.

A minimum-pricing strategy would apply to all licensed premises, including pubs, off-licences and supermarkets.

Erika Wenzel, Cheshire East Council’s chief executive, said: “Alcohol harm in our communities is on the rise, and the negative impact it has on people’s health, and society in general, cannot be ignored.

“There is a clear link between price and the consumption of alcohol – this is why we feel that the introduction of a minimum pricing strategy can form a key part of wider plans to tackle the problem.

“A great deal of work is being done with our colleagues across the north west, and we think that co-ordinated action is the correct approach.”